Written by Swasti Jain
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), a leading R&D body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, on Wednesday outlined its vision for safer and more sustainable mobility in India. The event highlighted ARAI’s ongoing innovations, expansion plans and preparations for the upcoming Symposium on International Automotive Technology (SIAT) 2026.
Dr. Reji Mathai, director of ARAI, described the organization:based in Pune—as the country’s leading automotive research institute, serving as the central technical center for regulations. Since ramping up technology innovation and deployment efforts in 2021, ARAI has aligned national safety and environmental goals with global standards.
Mathai identified two central priorities: combating rising air pollution to improve urban air quality and addressing the increase in road accidents despite expanding infrastructure. “ARAI strives to develop sustainable solutions,” he said, highlighting the urgency for faster diversification, including India-specific automotive data sets.
He highlighted institutional advances such as the ARAI learning academies and the unique ARAI Magazine. “In security, we have performed more than 1,600 crash tests and we are establishing advanced laboratories for rear-view mirrors, electric vehicle noise assessment and the MARG 2.0 road condition database,” he said.
Mathai announced broader expansion in rail, metropolitan, aerospace, defense and unmanned aerial vehicles to foster comprehensive growth. Upcoming initiatives include upgraded battery and cylinder testing facilities, plus an ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) smart city test track.
Dr. NH Walke, coordinator of SIAT 2026, detailed the event schedule: the 19th biennial symposium will take place from January 28 to 30, 2026, at the Pune International Convention and Exhibition Center (PIECC) in Moshi. Coinciding with ARAI’s diamond anniversary, its theme is “Innovative paths for safe and sustainable mobility.”
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The symposium will be inaugurated by Union Steel and Heavy Industries Minister HD Kumaraswamy along with Union Road Transport and Highways Minister. Nitin Gadkari lead the farewell session, reinforcing his role in linking industry advances with national policy.
Walke highlighted the focus on electric mobility, alternative fuels and intelligent transportation systems, integrating global expertise to strengthen India’s Atma-nirbhar Bharat self-reliance initiative and promote safe, smart and sustainable next-generation solutions.
In the Q&A session, Mathai’s queries addressed non-road innovations such as drones, citing strong market interest and ongoing certifications. Regarding air quality, he described an in-depth investigation into the analysis of emissions.
Regarding persistent road accidents despite technological progress, he candidly commented: “We can offer the best solutions, but implementation is out of our hands. Other nations have been successful. Why not India?” emphasizing that innovation must be accompanied by effective execution.
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The announcements come amid a growing emphasis on electric and autonomous technologies, positioning ARAI and SIAT 2026 as key drivers of India’s automotive future.